Russia will test the space laser on the ISS

Russian scientists will conduct the original testing of space laser. The developed technology will allow to transmit electricity from the 1st spacecraft to another. Later it is planned therefore to "Prime" satellites and other space vehicles.

As informs the newspaper "Izvestia", a unique experience on the International space station (ISS) to prepare professionals of the aerospace company named after S. Korolev (RSC) "Energy". Instead of wiring the scientists plan to apply the laser beam, whereby the electric power Board of the Russian segment of the ISS will be transferred to the transport ship "Progress". The ship with all that will be removed from the station approximately 1.5 kilometres.

"The project connected leading laboratories of the nation, and currently we already have the photovoltaic receivers-converters with an efficiency of about 60 percent", says the head of energy systems of space vehicles of a new generation of RKK "Energy" Vyacheslav Tugaenko. According to his statement, on the basis of the company already prepared the line for testing the guided beam.

I think as researchers, the ability to transfer electricity from spacecraft powerful power units on other spacecraft, which will be installed receivers-converters opens up new horizons in space exploration. Firstly, it is about "refueling" of satellites in outer space. Also, remote refueling may be useful to military vehicles.